Method and composition for delivering zinc to the nasal membrane

ABSTRACT

A viscous gel for delivering minor effective amounts of active substances through the nasal membrane into the body.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/722,811,filed Nov. 25, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/388,816, filed Sep. 1, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,835, which is acontinuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/145,042, filed Sep. 1,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,783.

This invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering minoreffective amounts of a substance to the blood in a body.

More particularly, the invention relates to a method and composition fordelivering a minor effective amount of a substance to the nasalmembrane.

In a further respect, the invention relates to a composition whichmaintains zinc in an ionic state for delivery to the nasal membrane.

In another respect, the invention relates to a composition whichmaintains a substance in direct contact with the nasal membrane for anextended period of time.

The common cold is one of the most frequently occurring human illnessesand is responsible for substantial morbidity and economic loss. Ioniczinc is a known effective anti-rhinovirus agent in vitro and in vivo.

In one in vivo study reported in 1991, a double-blind clinical trialdemonstrated the effectiveness of orally administered zincgluconate/glycerine lozenges. The lozenges used in the study containedtwenty-three milligrams of zinc provided by 179 milligrams of zincgluconate trihydrate which provided a 13.1 millimolar ionic zincconcentration in the oral cavity. During the study, lozengesadministered at two hour intervals resulted in a forty-two percentreduction in mean cold duration and in a marked reduction in both thenumber and severity of symptoms if treatment with the lozenges wasinitiated within two days of the onset of cold symptoms. A second studyreported in 1992 (Zarmebo J. E., Godfrey J. C., Godfrey N., J Pharm Sci1992; 81: 128-130) confirmed the findings of the 1991 study. Soon afterthe results of these studies became widely known, a number of companiesbegan marketing their own versions of the zinc lozenge cold remedy.

While zinc lozenges are usually beneficial in treating a cold, thelozenges have several drawbacks. First, the majority of zinc in a zincgluconate lozenge is released in the oral cavity. The principal site,however, of antiviral activity is believed to be the nasal cavity(Novick S. G., Godfrey J. C., Godfrey N. J., Wilder H. R., MedicalHypothesis 1996; 46: 295-302). It is surmised that some ionic zincreleased by a lozenge in the oral cavity makes its way to nasal passageswhere the zinc binds to viral ICAM-1 receptors and inhibits rhinovirusfrom binding to and infecting nasal mucosal cells. The difficultyencountered by ionic zinc or another substance in a lozenge inattempting to travel from the oral cavity to the nasal cavity limits theeffectiveness of lozenges. Further, in a congested individual the routefrom the oral cavity to the nasal cavity may be completely blocked,rendering the lozenges ineffective.

A second disadvantage associated with zinc lozenges is the production ofsignificant side effects. In one study, twenty percent of the subjectscomplained of nausea and eight percent complained of bad taste reactions(Novick S. G., Godfrey J. C., Godfrey N. J., Wilder H. R., MedicalHypothesis 1996; 46: 295-302). With respect to the nausea, it is wellestablished that excessive zinc in the intestinal tract interferes withcopper absorption and that preventing the absorption by the body ofsufficient quantities of copper can lead to a variety of undesirablepathological states. The overuse of zinc lozenges may contribute tocopper depletion.

We have discovered a novel gel composition and method for deliveringionic (negatively charged) zinc and other active substances to the nasalepithelial membrane without encountering the disadvantages normallyassociated with lozenges. The composition maintains ionic zinc oranother active substance in direct contact with the nasal membrane,preferably for an extended period of time of at least one-quarter hour,and delivers zinc or another active substance into the nasal membraneand into blood in the nasal membrane.

When the gel composition is a homeopathic composition, it includes from75% to 99.999% by weight of at least one carrier and a minor effectiveamount of an active substance. The minor effective amount in the gelcomposition includes from 0.0000001% to 5.0% by weight of the activesubstance.

When the gel composition is a pharmaceutical composition, it includesfrom 75% to 99.999% by weight of at least one carrier and a minoreffective amount of an active substance. The minor effective amountincludes from 0.0000001% to 10.0% by weight in the composition of theactive substance. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art,small concentrations of active substances may not be deemed homeopathicbut can still be beneficial to the body. Such “non-homeopathic”concentrations of an acitve substance are herein deemed to produce apharmaceutical composition.

When the gel composition is a homeopathic composition and zinc is theactive substance, the composition includes from 0.185% to 2.8% by weight(from about 4 mM to 60 mM), preferably 0.9% to 2.0% by weight (fromabout 20 mM to 44 mM), zinc gluconate. Each 0.1% by weight zincgluconate in the composition produces a concentration of approximately0.014% by weight ionic zinc (i.e., of about 2.2 mM ionic zinc). At leasta 4 mM concentration of ionic zinc is preferred in the gel compositionto insure that a sufficiently high concentration of ionic zinc isproduced by the composition at the interface between the composition andthe nasal membrane.

The composition has a viscosity in the range of 2,500 to 40,000centipoise, preferably 5,000 to 20,000 centipoise. The viscosity of thecomposition is important because it facilitates maintenance of thecomposition in the nasal cavity in contact with the nasal membrane orwith mucous on the membrane. When the viscosity is less than about 2,500centipoise, the composition tends to be drawn by gravity out of thenasal cavity. If the viscosity is in excess of about 40,000 centipoise,the thickness of the composition interferes with the diffusion of ioniczinc through the composition to the nasal membrane. During thedevelopment of the composition of the invention, nasal sprays wereconsidered and discarded because the low viscosity of the liquidscomprising such sprays allows the liquids to flow under gravity out ofthe nasal cavity, preventing the sprays from contacting the nasalmembrane for an extended period of time. The effectiveness of a nasalspray usually substantially dissipates in less than five minutes.Similarly, applying the composition on a swab or nose plug is notbelieved efficient because the swab or nose plug, which may for examplebe made of cotton or of a sponge material retain the composition andinterferes with the delivery of an additional supply of the compositioninto contact with the nasal membrane following dissipation of thecomposition which is on the surface of the swab or plug and is in directcontact with the nasal membrane.

As noted, nasal sprays were avoided during development of the invention.By way of background with respect to zinc—bearing nasal sprays, U.S.Pat. No. 5,688,32 concerns antiallergic spray preparations and disclosesand claims a method for the treatment of an allergic condition in whicha spray solution is applied to the eye or respiratory tract of a mammalhaving the allergic condition. The spray solution includes a non-toxic,anti-allergy effective amount of ionic zinc in a concentration belowthat which causes irritation to mucus membranes. The majority of theionic zinc in the spray solution is unchelated zinc and is in the formof free ionic solution, wherein the solution has a zinc ion content ofbetween about 0.002 and about 0.12% (w/v). The allergic conditiontreated with the spray solution can comprises hay-fever and asthma. Thespray solution can be selected from the group consisting of essentiallyaqueous and essentially saline solutions; can have a zinc ion content ofabout 0.04% (w/v); can comprise a mineral acid salt of zinc as solute;can comprise a solute selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfateand zinc chloride; can be dispensed in aliquots of about either 0.05 to0.5 ml or 0.2 ml; and/or, can include at least one otherpharmaceutically acceptable ingredient. The other pharmaceuticallyacceptable ingredient can be selected from the group consisting ofantihistamines, scenting agents and active ingredients; or, can compriseascorbate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,532 also discloses and claims animprovement in a method for treatment of an allergic condition by theadministration of a zinc compound to a mammal possessed of an allergiccondition. The improvement consists essentially of spraying a solutioncomprising a non-toxic, anti-allergy effective amount of ionic zinc tothe eye or respiratory tract of a mammal possess of the allergiccondition. The solution comprises a concentration of ionic zinc belowthat which causes irritation to mucus membranes. The majority of theionic zinc in the spray is unchelated zinc and is in the form of freeionic solution. The solution has a zinc ion content of between about0.002 and 0.12% (w/v).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,724 discloses and claims a method for the treatmentof the symptoms of the common cold comprising administering a spray of asolution containing a non-toxic, symptom effective treating amount of asolution of a substantially unchelated ionic zinc compound. The solutioncontains substantially unchelated zinc ions in a concentration of fromabout 0.004 to about 0.12% (w/vol), to the nostrils and respiratorytract of a patient in need thereof. The solution can be selected fromthe group consisting of aqueous and saline solutions; can furthercomprises an effective amount of a flavor and/or odor enhancing agent;can have an unchelated zinc ion content of about 0.04% (w/v); or, canconsist essentially of the substantially unchelated ionic zinc compoundand at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The substantiallyunchelated ionic zinc compound can comprise a mineral acid salt of zinc;can comprise a salt selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfateand zinc chloride; or, can comprise zinc sulfate. Utilization of zincchloride at concentrations greater than 0.2%, especially greater than0.4% is not preferred because, as is well known in the art, the zincchloride is caustic. The carrier utilized in the invention can include0.05% to 5.0% by weight glycerine. The glycerine is important and ispresently preferred because it allows zinc to remain in an ionic stateuntil the zinc contacts the nasal membrane and/or mucous on the nasalmembrane. One problem encountered during development of the inventionwas identifying a carrier which maintains zinc in an ionic state.

The gel composition of the invention which utilizes zinc as the activesubstance preferably permits ionic zinc to diffuse through thecomposition to the nasal epithelial membrane or mucous on the epithelialmembrane. This facilitates the availability of a continuous supply ofionic zinc because the composition will continue via diffusion to supplyzinc without requiring that the portion of the composition adjacent thenasal epithelial membrane (on mucous on the membrane) dissolve ordissipate and expose a fresh portion of the composition containing ioniczinc. As noted, composition viscosities in excess of about 40,000centipoise are believed to interfere with the diffusion of zinc throughthe composition. Viscosity measurements recited herein were obtainedusing the Brookfield Syncho-Lectric Viscometer for the measurement ofthe apparent Viscosity of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian materials at lowshear rates at given rotational speeds (ASTM D1824-87). See also ASTMD1084-88, ASTM D2196-86 and other ASTM protocols concerning themeasurement of viscosity.

We have also discovered a method of delivering minor effective amountsof a metal into the blood. The metal is the active substance. The methodincludes the step of providing a viscous delivery composition. Thedelivery composition includes 90% to 99.995% by weight of at least onecarrier and less than 1.5% by weight of the metal. The composition has aviscosity in the range of 2,500 to 40,000 centipoise. The methodincludes the additional steps of applying the delivery composition inthe nasal cavity in direct contact with the nasal membrane, andmaintaining the delivery composition in la contact with the nasalmembrane for at least one-sixth hour.

In another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved method ofdelivering minor effective amounts of an active substance into theblood. The method includes the step of providing a viscous deliverycomposition including 75% to 99.999% by weight of at least one carrier,and a minor effective amount of the active substance. The compositionhas a viscosity in the range of 2,500 to 40,000 centipoise. The methodalso includes the step of applying the delivery composition in the nasalcavity. The nasal cavity includes mucous, cilia and a nasal membrane.The delivery composition is applied such that a first portion of thecomposition directly contacts at least the nasal membrane, a secondportion of the composition directly contacts at least mucous in thenasal cavity, and at least a third portion of the composition directlycontacts at least cilia in the nasal cavity. The method also includesthe step of maintaining the first portion of the delivery composition incontact with the nasal membrane for at least ten minutes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved methodof delivering a minor effective amount of an active substance to theblood and of reducing the time required to deliver the substance intothe blood by increasing the ability of the active substance to penetratethe body. The improved method comprises the steps of providing at leastone carrier; providing at least one active substance; and, providing atleast one permeation enhancer to facilitate passage of the activesubstance through a nasal membrane in a nasal cavity. The nasal cavityalso includes mucous and cilia. The improved method further includes thestep of combining the carrier, active substance, and permeation enhancerto produce a viscous delivery composition including 75% to 99.999% byweight of said carrier, including a minor effective amount of the activesubstance, and including a minor effect amount of the permeationenhancer. The composition has a viscosity in the range of 2,500 to40,000 centipoise. The method also includes the step of applying thedelivery composition in the nasal cavity such that a first portion ofthe composition directly contacts at least the nasal membrane, such thata second portion of the composition directly contacts at least themucous in the nasal cavity, and at least a third portion of thecomposition directly contacts the cilia in the nasal cavity; and,maintaining the first portion of said delivery composition in contactwith the nasal membrane for at least ten minutes.

In still another embodiment of our invention, we provide an improvedmethod of delivering a minor effective amount of an active substance tothe blood and of reducing the time required for the active substance topass through membrane into the blood by increasing the surface area overwhich the active substance contacts the body. The improved methodincludes the step of providing a viscous delivery composition including75% to 99.999% by weight of at least one carrier, and a minor effectiveamount of the active substance. The composition has a viscosity in therange of 2,500 to 40,000 centipoise. The method also includes the stepof applying the delivery composition in the nasal cavity. The nasalcavity includes a nasal membrane, cilia and mucous. A first portion ofthe composition directly contacts at least the nasal membrane, a secondportion of the composition directly contacts at least said mucous in thenasal cavity, and at least a third portion of the composition directlycontacts at least the cilia in the nasal cavity. The improved methodalso includes the step of increasing the action of the cilia in thenasal cavity.

In yet a further embodiment of our invention, we provide an improvedmethod for controlling the rate at which minor effective amounts of anactive substance are delivered into the blood. The improved methodincludes the step of providing a viscous delivery composition including75% to 99.999% by weight of at least one carrier, and a minor effectiveamount of the active substance. The composition has a viscosity in therange of 2,500 to 40,000 centipoise. The method also includes the stepsof determining the carrier diffusion rate at which the active substancediffuses through the carrier at a selected temperature and a selectedpressure; determining the membrane diffusion rate at which the activesubstance penetrates a nasal membrane when the delivery compositioncontacts the nasal membrane at the selected temperature and pressure;selecting at least one of a diffusion rate pair comprising the carrierdiffusion rate, and the membrane diffusion rate; and, adding a componentto the viscous delivery composition to produce a modified viscousdelivery composition in which the diffusion rate of the one of thediffusion rate pair is altered.

The following examples depict the presently preferred embodiments of theinvention for the purposes of illustrating the practice thereof and notbe way of limitation of the scope of the invention. In the examples, allproportions are by weight, unless otherwise noted.

EXAMPLE 1

One liter of a gel composition is prepared by mixing together purifiedwater, glycerin, carbopol, and zinc gluconate. The gel includes:

Component Weight Percent PURIFIED WATER 97.0 GLYCERIN U.S.P.  2.0CARBOPOL 940 nf  0.5 ZINC GLUCONATE (source of ionic zinc)  1.5 (33.3millimolar concentration)* *The molecular weight of zinc gluconate,about 450 g/mole, multiplied times 0.0333 moles per liter of zincgluconate gives a weight of about 15 grams per liter of the gelcomposition.The concentration of zinc gluconate in the gel composition of theinvention is preferably in the range of from 0.185% to 2.8% by weight(from about 4 mM to 60 mM), preferably 0.9% to 2.0% by weight (fromabout 20 mM to 44 mM), zinc gluconate. The carrier in the gelcomposition can vary as desired, but presently preferably includes 90.0to 99.0% purified water, 0.05 to 5.0% by weight glycerine (a thickenerwhich also functions to permit zinc to maintain its ionic state), and0.000001% to 5.0% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 3.0% by weight, of acarbohydrate or other thickener. A carbohydrate thickener is presentlypreferred. Other thickeners which can he utilized include: carrageenan,sugar, guar gum, and methylcellulose. The glycerine in the carrierproduces a matrix which permits zinc ions to readily diffusetherethrough. The glycerine is also preferred because it has the abilityto dissolve into and permeate mucous and the nasal epithelial membrane,carrying with it ionic zinc.

EXAMPLE 2

Two hundred and fifty microliters of the zinc gel of Example 1 is placedin one nasal passage of a healthy thirty-nine year old male Caucasianpatient. Two hundred and fifty microliters of the zinc gel of Example 1is then placed in the other nasal passage of the patient. Consequently,a total of 500 microliters of the gel is placed in the patient's nose. Afirst portion of the gel contacts at least a portion of the nasalepithelial membrane. A second portion of the gel contacts at least aportion of the mucous in the patient's nose. A third portion of the gelcontacts at least cilia in the patient's nose. The gel remains incontact with at least a portion of the nasal epithelial membrane, thecilia, or mucous on the membrane. After four hours the zinc gel hascompletely dissipated.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 2 is repeated, except the individual is a twenty-four year oldAfrican American patient who has been experiencing mild cold symptomsfor one day. The gel remains in contact with at least a portion of thenasal epithelial membrane or the mucous layer on the membrane. Afterfour hours the zinc gel has completely dissipated and the patientnotices a marked reduction in the severity of his cold symptoms.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 3 is repeated, except that the zinc gel of the invention is notadministered to the twenty-four year old African American patient, noris any other medication. After four hours, he does not notice anyreduction in the severity of his cold symptoms.

EXAMPLE 5

Examples 3 and 4 are repeated, except the individual treated is afifteen year old Japanese girl who has been suffering from mild coldsymptoms for a day. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 6

Examples 3 and 4 are repeated, except the individual treated is a fiftyyear old Caucasian man who has been suffering from cold symptoms for twodays. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 2 is repeated except that the concentration of zinc in the nasalmucosa is measured just prior to insertion of the zinc gel; and, ismeasured ten minutes, thirty minutes, one hour, two hours, three hours,and four hours after the gel is inserted in the individual's nasalcavity. The following results are obtained:

Time of Measurement Zinc Concentration (Wt. %) Just prior toadministration 0.003% of zinc gel Ten minutes after administration0.008% of zinc gel One-half hour after administration  0.01% of zinc gelOne hour after administration  0.01% of zinc gel Two hours afteradministration 0.011% of zinc gel Three hours after administration0.012% of zinc gel Four hours after administration 0.012% of zinc gel

EXAMPLE 8

Examples 1 to 6 are repeated, except that the concentration of ioniczinc in the composition is 20 mM instead of 33.3 millimolar. Similarresults are obtained.

EXAMPLE 9

Example 1 to 6 are repeated, except that the concentration of ionic zincin the composition is 44 mM instead of 33.3 millimolar. Similar resultsale obtained.

EXAMPLE 10

Examples 1 to 6 are repeated, except that the concentration of ioniczinc in the composition is 10 mM instead of 33.3 millimolar. Similarresults are obtained.

EXAMPLE 11

Example 1 is repeated, except that the zinc gel composition is preparedutilizing 1.5% by weight of NATROSOL (TM) (hydroxyethylcellulose) inplace of carbopol and 96% by weight purified water instead of 97% byweight purified water. The weight percent of each of the glycerin andzinc gluconate in the gel composition is unchanged.

EXAMPLE 12

Examples 2 to 7 are repeated, except that the zinc gel composition ofExample 11 is utilized in place of the zinc gel composition ofExample 1. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 13

Examples 8 to 10 are repeated except that the zinc gel composition ofExample 11 is utilized in place of the zinc gel composition of Example1, and the ionic zinc concentration in the Example 11 zinc gelcomposition is altered as specified in each of Examples 8 to 10. Similarresults are obtained.

The NATROSOL utilized in Example 11 is obtained from Hercules Coporationof 1313 North Market Street, Wilimington, Del. 19894.Hydroxyethylcellulose can be obtained from other vendors.

One of the objectives of the invention is the delivery into the bloodvia the nasal membrane homeopathic concentrations of metals, chemicalelements or other active substances. This ordinarily requires thedelivery of specific selected titrated concentrations (i.e., minoreffective amounts) of a substance. If an active substance or componentis delivered to the blood stream in a concentration which is too high,this can have an adverse effect in the body. The delivery of minoreffective amounts of active substances to the blood stream via the nasalmembrane in accordance with the invention is believed highlyadvantageous because it offers a rapid delivery into the blood stream ofselected metered minor effective amounts of a metal, chemicalelement(s), composition(s), or other active substance. Attempting todeliver orally homeopathic titrated amounts of chemical elements orcompositions often is not believed practical because of the degradationof chemical elements which occurs in the oral cavity. As earlier noted,as used herein homeopathic concentrations of an active substance in thegel composition of the invention occur when the active substance is inthe gel composition in a minor effective amount at a concentration inthe range of 0.0000001% to 5.0%.

As utilized herein, a metal, chemical element, or other component orchemical composition is deemed an active substance if the metal,chemical element, etc. produces a beneficial physiological effect on thebody. An active substance produces a beneficial physiological effect onthe body if the substance after entering a patient's body the activesubstance benefits the skeletal system, the digestive system, therespiratory system, the circulatory system, the reproductive system, theurinary system, the endocrine system, the skin, or the nervous system ofthe body. One way an active substance can produce a beneficialphysiological effect is by helping the body fight disease. Another wayis by helping the body heal. Another way by improving the functioning ofa system in the body. As would be appreciated by those of skill in theart, an active substance can comprise any of a large list of chemicalcompositions including, but not limited to vitamins, minerals, insulinand other polypeptides, nicotine, genes, substances which alter genes orwhich facilitate the formation of genes or which disable genes, andpharmaceutical and homeopathic substances. Nicotine can function as anactive substance when used to compensate for the nicotine in cigarettesin order to facilitate a person in breaking the habit of smokingcigarettes. This benefits the lungs and other systems and organs in thebody.

As used herein, the carrier comprises all the components in the nasalgel composition other than the active substance(s) in the nasal gel.Consequently, the carrier includes the fluid component of the gelcomposition (i.e., water. oil, alcohol. etc.), includes any thickenersin the nasal gel (i.e., glycerin, carrageenan, sugar, guar gum,methylcellulose, etc.), includes permeation enhancers (i.e., liposomes,chitosan, cyclodextrin, etc.), and includes any other components besidesactive substances.

As used herein, a permeation enhancer functions to facilitate thepassage of an active substance through the nasal membrane, to protect anactive substance from being damaged or altered as it passes through thenasal membrane, and/or to carry an active substance to a desired targetin the body after the active substances passes through the nasalmembrane. Examples of membrane permeation enhancers include liposomes,chitosan, and cyclodextrin. A liposome can encapsulate a drug or otheractive substance and can protect the drug from damage or alteration whenthe liposome passes through the nasal epithelial membrane. The liposomemay also facilitate passage through the nasal epithelial membrane byentering, passing through, and exiting a cell which comprises a portionof the nasal membrane. A liposome can be constructed to be a “stealth”liposome which can not be “seen” by the liver and degraded by the liver.For example, putting polyethylene glycol in a small concentration in aliposome turns the liposome into a “stealth” liposome which is not“seen” and degraded by the liver. The liposome may also be targeted to aspecific site in the body. For example, an antigen can be removed fromcardiac tissue and used to make an antibody. The antibody is placed inthe liposome carrying the active substance. When the liposome passesthrough the nasal membrane and enters the body, the antibody will—alongwith the liposome and active substance carried in the liposome—seek outan antigen on the heart corresponding to the kind of antigen used toproduce the antibody. Protease inhibitor might function as a permeationenhancer by altering the physical characteristics of a liposome or ofthe nasal membrane in order to facilitate the passage of an activesubstance through the nasal membrane. Permeation enhancers are presentin the nasal gel in a concentration in the range of 0.000001% to 5.0%.

As used herein, the matrix includes the liquid (i.e., water, oil,alcohol, etc.) and the thickener (carrageenan, sugar, guar gum, etc.)

Zinc in the nasal cavity acts as a decongestant, enhancing the dischargeof mucous and inhibiting the generation of new mucous. Menthol is also adecongestant and can be incorporated in the composition of the inventionin a concentration of 0.000001% to 0.10% by weight. Menthol is abronchial dilator, functioning to open air passages in the lungs and tohelp discharge mucous.

When the zinc gel of the invention is applied to the nasal cavity, zincions diffuse from the gel matrix into the mucous or mucous membrane inthe nasal cavity. It is believed that the zinc concentration in themucous or mucous membrane creates a barrier which inhibits viralinfection of the nasal epithelial membrane. As ionic zinc is absorbedfrom the gel into the mucous membrane and other nasal epithelial cells,the gel matrix permits new zinc to diffuse into the nasal membrane. Thegel matrix has micelle cell—like properties which facilitate thediffusion of zinc through the gel matrix.

The homeopathic concentration of zinc ions in the zinc gel of theinvention is 4 millimolar (mM) to 60 millimolar, preferably 20 mM to 44mM. Concentrations of zinc in excess of 44 mM are not preferred unlessan antioxidant or other component is included in the gel composition toprotect the nasal epithelial membrane from abnormally highconcentrations of zinc. Examples of antioxidants include ascorbic acidand SOD. The concentration of an antioxidant in the gel composition ofthe invention is in the range of 0.000001% to 5.0%.

The liquid component(s) in the carrier can be water, an oil(s), and/oran alcohol(s). The liquid component can from from 0% to 100% water, from0% to 100% oil, or from 0% to 100% alcohol. Examples of oils arepolyunsaturated oils, monosaturated oils like omega 3 and omega 6, andDHA. An example of an alcohol is ethanol.

Utilizing a oil, either alone or in combination with water and/oralcohol, can be desirable when the active substance is fat soluble. Anexample of a fat soluble active is vitamin A. Fat soluble activestypically are included in the nasal gel composition of the invention ina concentration in the range of 0.000001% to 4% weight percent.

Emulsifiers can be included in the nasal gel composition of theinvention, especially when the carrier includes water anti oil. Glycerolis an example of an emulsifier because it helps to combine oil withwater and to protect the membrane by moisturizing it. The concentrationof emulsifiers in the nasal gel composition is presently preferably inthe range of 0.000001% to 5.0%.

Proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acids, and amino acids are additionalexamples of potential active substances for the nasal gel composition ofthe invention. A polypeptide is not a protein but is a polyamide that isobtained by the partial hydrolysis of proteins or by synthesis. Apolypeptide yeilds amino acids on hydrolysis but has a lower molecularweight than a protein. The nasal membrane does not, in general, likeproteins and tends to prevent proteins and polypeptides, even thesmallest polypeptides, from passing into and through the nasal membrane.The nasal membrane can also tend to prevent the passage of amino acids;however, in some cases the nasal membrane does not prevent the passageof amino acids because there are transporters in the nasal membrane forcertain amino acids. Often times enzymes are polypeptides. Hormones likeinsulin, growth hormones, and secretin are polypeptides. Insulin is apolypeptide.

Enzymes like protease inhibitors can function as permeation enhancersbecause they facilitate passage of the actives through the nasalmembrane.

Hydroxycellulose or other thickeners or components can, if desired, beutilized to form colloidal solutions (i.e., suspensions) in order toincrease the viscosity of the carrier in the nasal gel composition. Thepresently preferred concentration for thickeners is 0.000001% to 5.0% byweight.

Permeation enhancers can, by enlarging or loosening tight junctionsbetween cells in the nasal membrane, facilitate the passage of an activesubstance, of a liposome, or of another permeation enhancer through thenasal membrane. By way of example, and not limitation, EDTA can chelatecalcium. By taking calcium out of the cell junctions, EDTA may loosen upthe junctions to facilitate passage of an active substance, liposome,etc. through the junction. Liquid permeation enhancers include ascorbicacid in water, glycerol in water, chitosan in water, andlysophosphotidylcholin in oil. The concentration of permeation enhancersin the nasal gel is in the range of 0.00001% to 5.0%

Other antioxidants which can be utilized in the gel of the inventioninclude green tea catechin, epigallate, and selenium. The presentlypreferred concentration range for an antioxidant in the gel compositionis from 0.000001% to 5.0%.

Varying the rate of diffusion of an active substance through thecarrier, the nasal epitheilial mucous membrane, or through mucous in thenose is important in the practice of the invention.

In order to increase the rate of diffusion of an active substancethrough the nasal membrane, the concentration of a permeation enhancerlike vitamin C or a liposome can be increased. Permeations enhancerslike vitamin C or liposomes can be included in the nasal gel atconcentrations in the range of 0.000001% to 5.0% by weight. Making thenasal gel less viscous is another way of increasing the diffusion of anactive substance through the nasal membrane. Normally an activesubstance or a permeation enhancer carrying the active substance canmove more freely through the nasal gel when the gel is less viscous.

Similarly, the rate of diffusion of an active substance through thenasal gel itself can be increased by decreasing the viscosity of thenasal gel or by using a liposome or other chemical component whichfacilitates the diffusion of an active substance through the nasal geleither by carrying the active substance or by interacting with the nasalgel to facilitate the passage and diffusion of the active substancethrough the nasal gel. The diffusion rate of an active substance throughthe nasal gel itself is important when the concentration of the activesubstance in the gel becomes less near or at the gel—nasal membraneinterface. When the concentration in the gel of the active substancenear or at the gel-nasal membrane interface becomes less than theconcentration of the active substance in the remainder of the gel, it isdesirable that the active substance readily diffuse through the gel toreplenish the concentration of the active substance at or near thegel—nasal membrane interface. The concentration of the active substanceat or near the gel—nasal membrane interface becomes less when the activesubstance is absorbed from the gel into the nasal membrane. Liposomes orother chemical components can be included in nasal gel at concentrationsin the range of 0.000001% to 5.0% by weight.

The rate of diffusion of an active substance through mucous in the nasalpassage can be increased by using in the gel composition an agent likezinc or salt which facilitate the breakup and drying of mucous in thenose or by using in the gel composition a component which actuallyfacilitates travel of an active substance through mucous. Mucous is aprotein and has different properties than the nasal epithelial membrane.Agents like zinc or salt can be included in the nasal gel inconcentrations in the range of 0.000001% to 5% by weight.

Another method of facilitating the diffusion of an active substance intothe nasal membrane is to spread the nasal gel over a larger surface areaof the nasal membrane. One way this is facilitated is by enhancing theaction of the cilia which tend to beat or carry mucous or foreignsubstances in the nose toward the back of the throat. Chemicalcomponents like lysozyme can be included in the nasal gel inconcentrations in the range of 0.00001% to 5.0% by weight to increasethe action of cilia and to therefore increase the rate at which the gelcomposition is, after being inserted in a patient's nose, carriedrearwardly from the nose down through the nasal passage into the back ofthe patient's throat. Increasing the action of the cilia functions toincrease the rate at which the nasal gel coats a greater surface area inthe nasal passage. As used herein, the nasal passage begins inside thenose at a point about one-quarter of an inch to one-half from theopening in each nostril and extends to the back of a patient's throat.The nasal passage includes portions of each nostril of a patient's nose.

Absorption of an active substance in the gel of the invention in thelungs or nasal membrane can be facilitated by sublimation. For example,camphor or iodine can be admixed with the nasal gel of the invention atsome prior to inserting the gel in a patient's nose. The concentrationof a sublimating active substance can vary as desired, but typically isin the range of 0.00001% to 5.0% by weight.

In the nasal gel, it is sometime important to keep an active substancelike zinc in its ionized state. One way of increasing the likelihoodthat an active substance will remain in its ionized state is byincreasing the viscosity of the nasal gel. Still a further way ofincreasing the likelihood that an active substance will remain in itsionized state is by using a thickener which will not bind with theactive substance when the active substance in an ionize state. Forexample, carbopol does bind with zinc and generally is therefore not apreferred thickener in gel compositions in which it is desired tomaintain zinc in its ionized state. Most thickeners do not bind withzinc ions. Ascorbic acid also binds with zinc. Therefore ascorbic acidordinarily is not utilized in combination with a gel compositionincluding ionic zinc as an active substance. Glycerine functions to helpmaintain zinc and other components in their ionic state.

When the nasal gel includes zinc ions and is being utilized to treatrhinovirus, it is important to use the gel in both nostrils of thepatient's nose. In other circumstances, for example delivering a vitamininto the patient's bloodstream, it is not necessary that the gel beplaced in both nostrils. Use of only one nostril may be sufficient.

In an embodiment of the invention, the gel composition for deliveringzinc to a nasal membrane consists of:

-   -   about 0.185 wt % to about 2.8 wt % zinc gluconate;    -   about 90 wt % to about 99 wt % water;    -   about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % glycerin;    -   about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % thickener selected from the group        consisting of carrageenan, sugar, guar gum, methylcellulose,        hydroxyethyl cellulose, and carbohydrate;    -   about 0.000001 wt % to about 5 wt % of an agent that facilitates        the breakup and drying of mucous in the nose, wherein said agent        is not zinc; and about 0.000001 to about 5 wt % of a permeation        enhancer.

It may be desirable to utilize a nasal gel composition which thickenswhen placed in the nostril of a patient. Utilizing a component which istemperature sensitive and thickens due to the increased temperature in apatient's nose is one avenue of producing an increased viscosity whenthe nasal gel is applied in the patient's nose. Another avenue is toadmix two or more components just prior to applying the nasal gel in thepatient's nose. The two components produce a composition having aviscosity greater than either component separately.

The nasal gel of the invention can be packaged in a capsule or othercontainer which dissolves on being inserted in the nose. When thecontainer dissolves, the gel contacts the nasal membrane. The capsulecan be fabricated from gelatin, from a soft pliable paper-like watersoluble material, or from any other desired material that dissolves ordisintegrates or otherwise degrades when placed in the nasal cavity.

EXAMPLE 14

One liter of a gel composition is prepared by mixing together purifiedwater, glycerin, carbopol, liposomes, and insulin. The gel includes:

Component Weight Percent PURIFIED WATER 96.5 GLYCERIN U.S.P. 2.0CARBOPOL 940 nf 0.5 INSULIN 0.5 LIPOSOMES (carrier for insulin) 0.5

EXAMPLE 15

Two hundred microliters of the gel of Example 14 is placed in one nasalpassage of a healthy thirty-nine year old male Caucasian patient. Twohundred microliters of the zinc gel of Example 1 is then placed in theother nasal passage of the patient. Consequently, a total of 400microliters of the gel is placed in the patient's nose. A first portionof the gel contacts at least a portion of the nasal epithelial membrane.A second portion of the gel contacts at least a portion of the mucous inthe patient's nose. A third portion of the gel contacts at least ciliain the patient's nose. The gel remains in contact with at least aportion of the nasal epithelial membrane, the cilia, or mucous on themembrane. After four hours the zinc gel has completely dissipated.

EXAMPLE 16

One liter of a gel composition is prepared by mixing together purifiedwater, oil, glycerin, carbopol, liposomes, and vitamin A. The gelincludes:

Component Weight Percent PURIFIED WATER 86.5 OMEGA 6 (MONOSATURATED OIL)10.0 GLYCERIN U.S.P. 2.0 CARBOPOL 940 nf 0.5 VITAMIN A 0.5 LIPOSOMES(carrier for vitamin A) 0.5

EXAMPLE 17

Three hundred microliters of the gel of Example 16 is placed in onenasal passage of a healthy twenty-eight year old female Chinese patient.Consequently, a total of 300 microliters of the gel is placed in thepatient's nose. A first portion of the gel contacts at least a portionof the nasal epithelial membrane. A second portion of the gel contactsat least a portion of the mucous in the patient's nose. A third portionof the gel contacts at least cilia in the patient's nose. The gelremains in contact with at least a portion of the nasal epithelialmembrane, the cilia, or mucous on the membrane. After four hours thezinc gel has completely dissipated.

EXAMPLE 18

One liter of a gel composition is prepared by mixing together purifiedwater, alcohol, glycerin, carbopol, and nicotine. The gel includes:

Component Weight Percent PURIFIED WATER 87.25 ALCOHOL 10.0 GLYCERINU.S.P. 2.0 CARBOPOL 940 nf 0.5 NICOTINE 0.25

EXAMPLE 19

One hundred and fifty microliters of the gel of Example 18 is placed inone nasal passage of a healthy fifty year old female African Americanpatient. Consequently, a total of 150 microliters of the gel is placedin the patient's nose. A first portion of the gel contacts at least aportion of the nasal epithelial membrane. A second portion of the gelcontacts at least a portion of the mucous in the patient's nose. A thirdportion of the gel contacts at least cilia in the patient's nose. Thegel remains in contact with at least a portion of the nasal epithelialmembrane, the cilia, or mucous on the membrane. After three hours thezinc gel has completely dissipated.

EXAMPLE 20

One liter of a gel composition is prepared by mixing together purifiedwater, glycerin, carbopol, zinc gluconate, and SOD. The gel compositionincludes:

Component Weight Percent PURIFIED WATER 94.75 GLYCERIN U.S.P.  2.0CARBOPOL 940 nf  0.5 ZINC GLUCONATE (source of ionic zinc)  2.25 (50millimolar concentration)* SOD (antioxidant)  0.5 *The molecular weightof zinc gluconate, about 450 g/mole, multiplied times 0.05 moles perliter of zinc gluconate gives a weight of about 22.5 grams per liter ofthe gel composition.The SOD antioxidant functions to protect the nasal epithelial membranefrom damage due to the high concentrations of zinc ion in the nasal gel.

EXAMPLE 21

Examples 2 to 7 are repeated utilizing the gel composition of Example 20in place of the gel composition of Example 1. Similar results areobtained.

EXAMPLE 22

Example 7 is repeated except the patient has a layer of mucous aboutone-sixteenth of an inch thick covering the nasal mucosa. Similarresults are obtained.

EXAMPLE 23

Example 22 is repeated except that the gel composition of Example 1 alsoincludes 1.0% by weight NaCl and that the weight percent of the purifiedwater in the gel composition is 96% instead of 97%. The weight percentof glycerin, carbopol, and zinc gluconate in the gel composition ofExample 1 remain the same. The salt is included in the gel compositionin order to facilitate the diffusion of zinc through the layer ofmucous.

The results obtained in this Example 23 are similar to those in Example22, except that zinc concentration in the nasal mucosa increases morerapidly in Example 23 because the salt facilitates drying anddissipation of the layer of mucous.

EXAMPLE 24

Example 7 is repeated except that the gel composition of Example 1 isinserted in the nasal passage in the nose and, instead of measuring theconcentration of zinc in the nasal mucosa just prior to administrationof the zinc gel, ten minutes after administration of the zinc gel,one-half hour after administration of the zinc gel, etc., the distancethe zinc gel has been carried back into the nasal cavity by cilia in thenasal cavity after ten minutes, one-half hour, etc. is measured.

EXAMPLE 25

Example 24 is repeated except that the gel composition of Example 1 alsoincludes 0.5% by weight lysozyme and that the weight percent of thepurified water is 96.5% instead of 97%. The weight percent of glycerin,carbopol, and zinc gluconate in the gel composition of Example 1 remainthe same. The lysozyme included in the gel composition increases theactivity of cilia in the nose and, as a result, increases the rate atwhich cilia carry zinc gel from inside the nose back through the nasalcavity toward the back of the patient's throat. The results obtained inExample 25 are similar to those obtained in Example 24, except inExample 25 the cilia more rapidly carry zinc gel toward the back of thepatient's throat.

EXAMPLE 26

The gel composition of Example 1 is placed against a surface whichremoves zinc from the gel at the gel-surface interface at a selectedrate. The rate of diffusion of zinc from a selected point (the pointbeing a selected distance from the interface) to the interface ismeasured.

EXAMPLE 27

Example 26 is repeated, except the viscosity of the gel composition ofExample 1 is reduced by reducing the concentration of carbopol to 0.25weight percent and reciprocally increasing the concentration of purifiedwater to 97.25%. The concentration of glycerin and zinc gluconate remainthe same. The results obtained are similar, except that the rate ofdiffusion of zinc ions is greater in this Example 27 than in Example 26because of the reduced viscosity of the gel composition.

EXAMPLE 28

Example 15 is repeated, except that concentration of insulin in thenasal membrane is measured at 10, 20 and 30 minutes.

EXAMPLE 29

Example 28 is repeated, except that the liposomes are removed from thegel composition of Example 14 and the concentration of purified water isreciprocally increased to 97% by weight. The liposomes are permeationenhancers which are added to enhance the ability of the insulin topermeate the nasal epithelial membrane. The concentration of glycerin,carbopol, and insulin in the gel composition of Example 14 remain thesame. The results obtained in this. Example 29 are different from thoseobtained in Example 28, because the concentration of insulin in thenasal mucosa rise more slowly because the liposome permeation enhancersare no longer present in the gel composition.

1. A gel composition for delivering zinc to a nasal membrane, the gelcomposition consisting of: about 0.185 wt % to about 2.8 wt % zincgluconate; about 90 wt % to about 99 wt % water; about 0.05 wt % toabout 5 wt % glycerin; about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % thickener selectedfrom the group consisting of carrageenan, sugar, guar gum,methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and carbohydrate; about0.000001 wt % to about 5 wt % of an agent that facilitates the breakupand drying of mucous in the nose, wherein said agent is not zinc; andabout 0.000001 to about 5 wt % of a permeation enhancer.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the thickener is hydroxyethyl cellulose.3. The composition of claim 1, wherein said agent includes sodiumchloride.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein zinc gluconate ispresent in an amount range of from about 0.9 wt % to about 2 wt %. 5.The composition of claim 1, wherein said thickener is present in anamount range of from about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %.
 6. A method ofadministering an effective amount of zinc, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a gel composition consisting of about 0.185 wt % toabout 2.8 wt % zinc gluconate, about 90 wt % to about 99 wt % water,about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % glycerin, about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %thickener selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, sugar, guargum, methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and carbohydrate, about0.000001 wt % to about 5 wt % of an agent that facilitates the breakupand drying of mucous in the nose, wherein said agent is not zinc; andabout 0.00000 1 to about 5 wt % of a permeation enhancer; and applyingan effective amount of the gel composition to a portion of a nasalmembrane.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the thickener in the gelcomposition is hydroxyethyl cellulose.
 8. The method of claim 6, whereinsaid agent in the gel composition includes sodium chloride.
 9. Themethod of claim 6, wherein zinc gluconate is present in the gelcomposition in an amount range of from about 0.9 wt % to about 2 wt %.10. The method of claim 6, wherein said thickener is present in the gelcomposition in an amount range of from about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %.